Classic Yamaha's
 

Returning to civilization I discover the local bike shop has a few classics on display, so I went for a look before going home. The road registrable CR500 belongs to the shop owner Rob, the rest are his fathers Cyril ( Founder of Gladstone Motorcycle's ). Had a nice chat with Cyril for an hour or so, very interesting bloke. The 2 SR500 racers are highly modified. The tanks were had made in the U.K. Cyril machined the foot pegs & gear changes himself + the seats, bar the upholstery. These things are absolutely mint, and I mean mint condition. All in running order too. He felt it was a waste keeping them in the shed under a sheet so are now in the shop for all to enjoy seeing.
Turns out Cyril is from Bulawayo in Zimbabwe where my wife went to College. Small world. Top bloke.

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Those bikes are gorgeous. ...and as you say in mint condition. Makes you realise how 'big' our trailies have grown over the years!. I see one of the Yams has copied my gold wheels! . Looks like quite a decent bike shop you have nearby. Steve

yes very nice.... a good XT500 goes for big money over here..
one model yer never see or very rearly is the very first XT500
with the low pipe...



..

Front brake in second pic.
 

That front brake on the nearest caf� racer in the second pic would be worth more than the rest of the bike. Early 70's race brake on Yamaha TR3/TD3 and TZ350 A/B.
A seriously fearsome 4 leading shoe fitted to production racers in the day.
Currently selling circa �3000+ for genuine and only slightly less for the repros that are now available.
I gave one away to a guy building a Triton after I changed to a Paghelin disc and Lockheed caliper back in '75.
Hind sight is a wondrous thing.

That's a nice collection of classics, clearly always liked yamaha.
Love the xt500, wish I could afford one to sit beside the 660